'80s Metal History (March 7th)

March 7, 1980: Judas Priest launched the "British Steel" Tour in Cardiff, Wales with opener Iron Maiden. It would cover 83 shows in Europe and North America with Def Leppard, Scorpions, Saxon and Riot opening select dates.

March 7, 2000: After six years of being disbanded, Armored Saint reformed the "Symbol Of Salvation" lineup and released their fifth studio album "Revelation". Several songs were demoed in 1989 with original guitarist Dave Prichard. The LP includes the song "The Pillar" which was originally written for the 1992 horror film "Hellraiser III: Hell On Earth", but not included on the soundtrack. The band did make a cameo appearance in the film as a bar band. Release date source: CMJ New Music Report - March 6, 2000.

March 7, 1988: Megadeth released their third studio album "So Far..So Good..So What!" in the UK (January 19th in North America). In the UK, the LP included a leaflet to enter an exclusive Megadeth competition... First prize was a Jackson 'Randy Rhoads' model guitar, as used by Dave Mustaine 🤩 Release date source: Kerrang! - March 12, 1988.

Happy Birthday to Flotsam and Jetsam singer Eric "A.K." Knutson (March 7, 1965).

March 1986: Ahead of the release of their new album "Turbo", Judas Priest released the title track as the lead single in the UK, while in the US, "Locked In" was chosen as the first single. The music video for the latter was in heavy rotation on MTV. Release information source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication ad - March 7, 1986.

March 7, 1986: Accept launched the "Russian Roulette" Tour in Osnabuck, Germany, that was just 38 dates with most in North America opening for DIO.

March 7, 1984: Touring the UK a few months earlier, Quiet Riot had opened for Judas Priest and were now back for a headline tour that concluded at London's Hammersmith Odeon. 2nd Image: Kerrang!

Remembering Sanctuary singer Warrel Dane, who would have celebrated a birthday today (March 7, 1961). Warrel died in 2017 at age 56. R.I.P.

Happy Birthday to former Manowar guitarist [1989-95] David Shankle (March 7, 1962).

March 7, 1988: Saxon released their ninth studio album "Destiny" in the UK (May 18th in North America), featuring singles "I Can't Wait Anymore" and a cover of Christopher Cross' "Ride Like The Wind". Release date source: [UK] Kerrang! - February 6, 1988; [US] The Hard Report - April 15, 1988.

March 1983: Maryland rockers Kix released their second studio album "Cool Kids" in North America, showcasing a slightly more commercial side of the band and including material written by outside songwriters. Release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine spotlight - April 9, 1983.

March 7, 1987: As Dokken were launching a short UK tour opening six shows for AC/DC in Birmingham and London, "Burning Like A Flame" from the album "Back For The Attack" was issued as a single. Release date source: [UK] Kerrang! ad - March 5, 1987.

March 1990: German magazine Rock Hard had Megadeth's Dave Mustaine on the cover with the headline "Everything Okay With Shocker Dave?" The band's latest single was a cover of Alice Cooper's "No More Mr. Nice Guy" from the "Shocker" Movie Soundtrack. A year earlier, Mustaine was arrested for driving under the influence and possession of narcotics after crashing into a parked vehicle occupied by an off-duty police officer. He entered court-ordered drug rehabilitation shortly afterwards, and became drug-free for the first time in ten years.